On the night of May 8, 2024, a tragic shooting occurred at the Duke Manor Apartments in Durham, North Carolina, resulting in the death of 27-year-old Nelson Mendez-Vasquez. The incident took place around 10:13 p.m. in the 300 block of South LaSalle Street. Mendez-Vasquez, along with three other individuals—two men and a woman—sustained gunshot wounds and arrived at Duke University Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, Mendez-Vasquez succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
The woman suffered life-threatening injuries, while the other two men were treated for non-life-threatening wounds.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Durham police swiftly initiated an investigation that led to the arrest of two suspects. On May 9, 2024, 29-year-old Yeltsin Boris Cinto Orozco was apprehended and charged with first-degree murder, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and discharging a weapon into occupied property causing serious bodily injury. The following day, May 10, 2024, authorities arrested 42-year-old William Antonio Sanchez-Vasquez, who faced identical charges. Both individuals were detained without bond at the Durham County Jail.
The community expressed shock and concern over the violent event. Residents of the Duke Manor Apartments reported hearing multiple gunshots, with some estimating at least ten shots fired. The incident has heightened fears about safety in the area, particularly among those living near the Duke University campus. Local authorities have indicated that the shooting appears to be an isolated incident, and the investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.
As of early May 2024, Durham had experienced an increase in gun-related incidents, with at least 66 people shot, marking a rise compared to the same period in 2023. City officials, including Mayor Leonardo Williams, have acknowledged the pressing issue of gun violence and emphasized the need for community engagement and preventive measures to address the escalating concerns.
